Graphic recording instrument



Dec. 1, 1942; w JAMES 2,303,840

GRAPHIC RECORDING INSTRUMENT Original Filed Aug. 24, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet1 404 I 73$ 7 $5 7! 3W4 46 79/1. 4 37 369 74k 73 40/ Z nu f g .38 7 405t i LNVENTOR WILL l/iM JAMES, DEC/54550 ar M4551. CH/4PM/4M MHz/mm ll BYATTORNEY Dec. 1, 1942. w. JAMES 2,303,840

GRAPHIC RECORDING INSTRUMENT Original Filed Aug. 24, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet2 IN MENTOR W/LL LQM JAVMEJ, 015654550 Patented Dec. 1, 1942 GRAPHICRECORDING INSTRUMENT William James, deceased, late of Seattle, Wash,

by Mabel Chapman, executrix, Boise, Idaho, assignor to Florence L.Cromwell, Monroe, Wash.

Original application August 24, 1937, Serial No. 160,638. Divided andthis application May 20, 1941, Serial No. 394,388

gel. 234-77) Claims.

This invention relates to graphic recording instruments in general, andparticularly to revolving-drum types of such instruments that areadapted to be mounted upon, and to record the speed of, automotivevehicles.

The invention is characterized by the improved combination of coactingparts that are adapted to both support and rotate the chart drum, and tofacilitate thedaily operation of changing charts.

The improvement comprising the invention is especially adapted to workcooperatively with the inventors speed responsive unit for actuating therecording pen, as explained in my copending application, Serial No.160,638, filed Aug. 24, 1937, now Patent No. 2,245,784, issued June 17,1941, of which this is a division.

An object of the invention is to provide improved means in a graphicrecorder of the kind described for facilitating the installation andremoval of the chart drum.

A further object is to provide improved means for motivating said chartdrum by a clock mechanism.

A still further object is to provide a compact clock mechanism and chartdrum spindle assembly that may be installed and serviced as a compactunit.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in theart from the following detailed description of a preferred form of theinvention, which consists of certain parts and combination of parts,hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing andembraced in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top view of a speed recorder instrument embracing apreferred form of the invention with the base and housing in section,taken on broken line l-l of Fig. 2, and with the top bearing bracketsbroken away;

Fig. 2is a left side elevation of the instrument, with the base andhousing in section, taken on broken line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the mechanism, with a portion of theradial element of the chart drum broken away to show a portion of thespindle support plate and clock mechanism, and with the inclosinghousing removed;

Fig. 4 is a section through the chart drum and base, taken on brokenline 4-4 of Fig. 3, showing a side elevation of the mechanism forrotatively supporting and motivating the drum; and

Fig. 5 is a medial sectional elevation of the inking device to a largerscale.

Like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout thedrawings, wherein l0 refers to the frame for the speed responsiveelement, comprising a spindle bearing housing ll, rotating spindle I 4s,magnet system cup 29. induction element 38, pinion 39 and inductionelement shaft 31, as described in detail in my aforesaid copendingapplication.

A pivot frame 40, comprising arms 40a, 41a and 4212, may be removablysecured to frame In by means of screws 40s, and frame 10 in turn securedto frame It by means of screws 40s, and frame It in turn secured to base58 by means of cap screws 58s.

Screw 36g carries a jewel guide bearing for the upper end of shaft 31and is removably supported by arm 40a. Arms 41a and 42a carry bearingscrews 4| and 42 in which a second pivot shaft 43 is rotativelysupported. A gear sector element 44 is fixedly secured to shaft 43 bymeans of screw 44s, which serves also to secure one end of spiralcontrol spring 45 to the hub of the sector, as shown best in Fig. 1. Theother end of said spring is fixedly secured by a clamp 400 at the nd ofadjustment arm 46, which may be clamped in fixed position by means ofthe head of screw 4!. This spring forces the gear sector into itsposition for recording on the O-line of the chart when the magnet systemis not rotating.

A line-drawing inking device or pen 4?, is carried at the end of a lightaluminum arm 48, hinge connected to gear sector element 44 by means ofpin 45. Spring 48s is used to resiliently hold said arm 48 against anadjustable stop screw 44's, which is locked in position in an extension446 of element 44 by means of lock nut 4412. The adjustment is such thatthe end of small pen tube 4lt of the inking device (Fig. 5) just clearsthe surface of a suitably calibrated chart 49s stretched tightly arounda clock-mechanismdriven chart drum 49.

Contact with the chart is maintained by means of a freely fitting wire41w on which a stopper 41g for the end of said pen tube is fixedlysecured. Above said stopper is-a spring 475 which supports a rubberstopper 411) that fits freely over the upper end of said wire but isadapted to close the neck of the ink container 410 due to the upwardthrust ofspring 41s. In this way a thin film of ink is fed onto themoving chart, the only resistance to the lateral movement of the pen armbeing the very light wire 47w and its appended parts.

It Will be seen in said Figs. 3 and 4 that chart drum 49 is bothsupported and motivated by an interior clock mechanism unit, a preferredform of which comprises a clock mechanism 52, spindle support plate 62and a plurality of associated coacting parts hereinafter explained. Saidclock mechanism may be removably secured to base 58 of the instrument bymeans of heavy lugs 59 and screws 60, and may be of the standarddoublemain-spring type, several of the well known detail parts of whichare omitted in Fig. 4 for the sake of clearness.

The driving power for the clock mechanism is derived from twomain-spring elements 53 on either side of the frame, as shown in Fig. 3.Both spring elements are provided with peripheral gear teeth that meshwith the teeth of pinion 54p fixedly secured to shaft 54. other rotatingparts of the mechanism are rotatively mounted in bearing plates 55,fixedly secured to the ends of spacer posts 56 in the usual manner.Shaft 54 ordinarily carries the hour hand of the clock and makes onerevolution in 12 hours. Its rate of rotation is determined by theoperation of the well known escapement and other elements, not shown,through the intermediacy of gear 549, pinion 51p, shaft 5'! and gear 51gin the usual manner.

Screws 6| secure a spindle support plate 52 to post 58p, projecting frombase 58, and to threaded extension posts 56c of the clock frame. Ahollow spindle 63 is fixedly secured at its flanged and threaded end toplate 52 by means U of nut 64 and lock washer 55. Bearings 66 and 6! atthe ends of said spindle are adapted to rotatively support shaft 68positioned longitudinally in the spindle by means of flange 58 at itsouter end, and gear 69 fixedly secured to its inner end. Gear 69 mesheswith a pinion l0 fixedly secured to the projecting end of shaft 54, andhas twice the number of teeth in said pinion, hence shaft 68 revolves athalf the speed of shaft 54, or once in 24 hours.

Drum 49, preferably made of an aluminum alloy, is provided with aninwardly projecting hub 49h, which is fitted at its inner end withbearing sleeve 49?), adapted to rotate upon a larger portion 63r ofspindle 63. fitted into a recess and riveted to the drum to provide adriving connection with shaft 68 when clamped between flange 68 and nut5|. When assembled as shown, it will be seen that the drum is supportedon spindle 63 through bearing 49!) and by the outer end of shaft 68,which in turn is rotatively supported by said hollow spindle throughbearings 66 and 61. After nut 5| is removed, the thumb and first threefingers of ones hand may be inserted in holes 49h to 1 secure a goodgrasp of the drum when removing or replacing it by sliding it axially ofspindle 63.

Any suitable means may be used to secure the chart to the drum, such asa slot 49s in the rim through which the ends of the chart may be passedafter encircling the periphery of the drum, and then drawn tight byclips 49c secured to the drum through the intermediacy of springs 49f,fixedly secured inside the drum by means of screws 49a, as illustratedin Fig. 3.

The interior parts of the device are inclosed by a housing '|l fixedlysecured to base 58 by means of screws 12, a felt gasket strip 13 beingused to make a dust tight joint. screws '12 may be soldered to thehousing to prevent unauthorized tampering. The housing is provided withcircular door Hd hinged at the bottom to provide access to the chartdrum, and

Said shaft and the A brass disc 49d may be The heads of per 41; into theneck of ink container 47.

with a top door Ht provided with a knob 'llk to afford access to theinking device.

Both doors are provided with lugs which fit over the projecting end ofscrew 14, the head of which may be brazed to the inside of the housing.When the doors are closed a single thumb nut 15 forces both doorstightly closed against felt gaskets 13d and 12t. Hole 14k. in screw 14is provided for the wire portion of the usual lead seal (not shown),used to prevent access by other than authorized persons. Holes 19h areprovided for mounting screws.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 3, it will be seen that a space 8|is provided in the upper right corner within housing H, and that amplemargin 50m and 5011 are left on either side of speed scale 50s of chart49s. Said space and margins are provided so other recording mechanisms(not shown) may be added within the housing to record other importantevents in the operation of the vehicle associated with its speed, suchas brakes on or off, ignition on or off, lights on or off, and turns toright or left, thus providing a graphic record of the vehiclesoperations during its tour of duty, that would be invaluable in fixingthe blame for accidents and in indicating carelessness on the part ofthe driver.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent, that after thevehicle has been returned to the garage, the chart is made available bythe following simple operations by an authorized person:

1. Break seal in hole of screw 14.

2. Remove thumb nut 15.

3. Open doors Nd and H t, and remove thumb nut 5|.

4. Raise hinged pen arm 48 with one hand, grasp drum by means of holes49h with the other hand and remove from spindle B3.

5. Release clips 490 from the ends of the chart and remove same from thedrum.

It will be noted that stopper 41(1 and spring 41s of the inking deviceprevent the ink from escaping when the pen arm is raised.

A new chart sheet then may be secured to the periphery of the drum, andthe drum replaced on spindle 63 while the pen arm again is raised withthe other hand. The drum next is turned until the pen tube is over theproper hour position on the chart, and then thumb nut 5| is replaced andset up tight.

The supply of ink next may be replenished by means of a medicine dropperfilled with ink. This is done by using the end of the dropper to depressstopper 41p and compress spring 41s until the required amount of ink isdischarged from the dropper into ink container 410. Doors Ht and 'Hdthen may be closed, thumb nut 15 replaced, and a new seal placed in thehole of screw 14.

When arm 48 is lowered to the position shown in Fig. 3, it will be notedby referring to Fig. 5 that wire 4110 again is pushed upwardly, therebyslightly compressing spring 41s and forcing stop- The free fit of wire4110 in the hole of said stopper permits Sllfilclellt air to enter inkcontainer 410 so ink will feed downwardly onto the chart.

From the foregoing it will be clear that clock mechanism 52, spindlesupport plate 62 and the hereinbefore described associated parts coactto produce a simple compact clock mechanism and chart drum spindleassembly that may be installed and serviced as a compact unit, and thatthe daily installation and removal of the chart drum is facilitated.

Although the preferred embodiment of the invention herein illustratedand described is devised for use in connection with automotive vehicles,it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the combination ofcoasting elements constituting the invention may be adapted and appliedto various other recording devices, and that various changes may be madein the details of construction and arrangement or" parts withoutdeparting from the purpose and intent of the invention within the scopeof the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

1. In a graphic recorder, the combination of a base providing post meansprojecting therefrom, a clock mechanism fixedly secured to said base, aplate in spaced apart relation to said clock and fixedly secured to saidpost means, a hollow spindle fixedly secured to said plate, a shaftrotatively mounted in said spindle, a removable chart drum comprising aninwardly projecting hub portion rotatively supported by said spindle,

clamp means for removably securing the outer end of said shaft to saiddrum, and gear means fixedly secured to the other end of said shaft formotivating the same by said clock mechanism.

2. In a graphic recorder, the combination of a base providing post meansprojecting therefrom, a clock mechanism fixedly secured to said base, aplate in spaced apart relation to said clock mechanism and fixedlysecured to said post means, extension post means for fixedly securingsaid plate to said clock mechanism, a hollow spindle fixedly secured tosaid plate, a shaft rotatively mounted in said spindle, a chart drumcomprising a hub portion rotatively supported by said spindle at oneend, means for fixedly securing the other end of said hub portion to theouter portion of said shaft, and gear means fixedly secured to the innerportion of said shaft for motivating the same by said clock mechanism.

3. In a graphic recorder, the combination of a base providing post meansprojecting therefrom,

a clock mechanism, a plate in spaced apart relation to said clockmechanism and fixedly secured to said post means, means for fixedlyconnecting said clock mechanism and said plate, a hollow spindle fixedlysecured at one end to and ex tending outwardly from said plate, a shaftrotatively mounted in said spindle, a chart drum comprising a hubportion rotatively supported by said spindle at one end, means forremovably securing one end of said shaft to the other end of said hubportion, and gear means for connecting the other end of said shaft tosaid clock mechanism.

4:. In a graphic recorder, the combination of a base providing postmeans projecting therefrom,

a clock mechanism fixedly secured to said base, a plate in spaced apartrelation to said clock mechanism and fixedly secured to said post means,a hollow spindle fixedly secured at one end to and extending outwardlyfrom said plate, a shaft rotatively mounted in said spindle andcomprising a shoulder and threaded outer end portion, gear meansconnecting said shaft with said clock mechanism, a removable chart drumcomprising an inwardly projecting hub portion having bearing meansrotatively engaging the exterior of said spindle near one end, and nutmeans for removably clamping the other end of said hub to the outer endof said shaft.

5. In a graphic recorder, a clock mechanism, a plate in spaced apartrelation to said clock mechanism, extension post means for fixedlysecuring said plate to said clock mechanism, a hollow spindle fixedlysecured at one end to said plate, a shaft rotatively supported in saidspindle, a chart drum comprising a hub portion rotatively supported bysaid spindle at one end, clamp means for removably securing the otherend of said hub portion to said shaft; and gear means for motivatingsaid shaft by said clock mechanism.

MABEL CHAPMAN, Formerly Mabel James, Executria: of the estate of WilliamJames, Deceased, Superior Court King County, State of Washington, Cause#67,486 in said Court.

